
Lunar Studies
About
Lunar research was one of the hallmarks of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in its first decade (the 1960s) as the United States prepared for the Apollo missions and LPL led the way in mapping possible landing sites. In the half-century since, the kinds of lunar research performed have changed, but the Moon is still an object of intense scrutiny. Our nearest neighbor in space lacks many of the processes occurring on the surface of Earth today, including the effects of wind, water and biology, so the rocks on its surface contain records of a much earlier era of Solar System history. On the other hand, because it lacks either an atmosphere or a strong internal magnetic field, its surface experiences effects that the Earth’s surface does not. Current LPL researchers study many different aspects of the Moon, including its composition, history, surface properties, magnetic field, interior structure, and even its tenuous atmosphere. Although the first studies were done with telescopes, we now have everything from the samples returned in the Apollo missions to modern spacecraft missions in orbit around the Moon. Read more about our history with lunar research.
Faculty
Lunar Studies Faculty

Jeffrey Andrews-Hanna
Associate Professor

Erik Asphaug
Professor

Jessica Barnes
Assistant Professor

William Boynton
Professor Emeritus

Veronica Bray
Associate Research Professor

Lynn Carter
Associate Professor, University Distinguished Scholar

Christopher Hamilton
Associate Professor

Lon Hood
Research Professor

Angela Marusiak
Assistant Research Professor

Isamu Matsuyama
Professor

Alfred McEwen
Regents Professor

Timothy Swindle
Professor Emeritus
Other Researchers
Lunar Studies Researchers

Rishi Chandra
PTYS Graduate Student

Sarah Sutton
Photogrammetry Program Lead, HiRISE, Researcher/Scientist

Matthew Varnam
Postdoctoral Research Associate

Zoe Wilbur
PTYS Graduate Student